The USC Institute for Global Health aims to improve global health by educating future and current global health leaders, carrying out trans-disciplinary research, and assuring that the evidence collected informs policy and practice to make a difference.

26th anniversary of Chernobyl tragedy reminds world of threat posed by nuclear technology

via Green Cross — Despite 26 years passing since the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe, millions of people are still living in dangerous environments, and thousands are suffering health, social and financial impacts, but many governments still consider atomic energy and related technologies as economically efficient and reliable.

Up to 9.9 million people still live in areas with residual contamination from the Chernobyl nuclear blast, according to a scientific review of studies and sources carried out by Green Cross under the direction of Dr. Jonathan Samet, director of the USC Institute for Global Health. This includes 1.1 million to 3.5 million people living in Ukraine, 1.6 million to 3.7 million in Belarus and 1.8 million to 2.7 million in Russia.